In this episode, Rob and Don explore the weird relationship between food and popular culture. From C3POs to Mac Tonight, the pair discuss how food is both shunned and adored in popular culture, and how this relationship has changed over time. Along the way, they ask the big questions, like “Can you eat D&D Monsters?” and “Why are North American so afraid of food in their media?” All this, and the Creepy Burger King, are waiting for you in this episode of the Department of Nerdly Affairs.

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2 Responses to DNA Podcast 084 – Food in Popular Culture

Really weird show tonight Lads, but fun. I had no idea Rob was into food that much…. …. …. …. …..
That being said, I don’t think that North Americans have a problem with food as much as it’s just boring as a story. Even the competitions are about competition. People will watch any kind of competition, the food is just something familiar. But if you had some kind of movie where people just eat a dinner and talk about the food, it would tank. Food isn’t really very interesting as a story line. Anymore than having a movie about crapping on the toilet would be.
That being said, I knew the daughter of the Urban Peasant, and I had a friend who was thrilled with Wok with Yan (“I am Yan, wok with me… What the heck!”) As you pointed out, its the personalities not the food that makes things interesting in those shows.

>People will watch any kind of competition, the food is just something familiar.

I kind of agree; but it’s weird that in the last decade or so, food has become so prevalent as the battleground du-jour.

>I don’t think that North Americans have a problem with food as much as it’s just boring as a story.

I kind of agree there too; but it’s weird that even when it SHOULD be important, it usually isn’t. (Like the post-apocalypse thing.) I suspect it’s mostly ‘cos actual desperate people aren’t pretty; and we tend to shy away from depicting non=pretty people in our media.

>But if you had some kind of movie where people just eat a dinner and talk about the food, it would tank.

….except on youtube or facebook, where that’s a thing. Which I don’t get, either….

About Us

The Department of Nerdly Affairs is a bi-weekly talk podcast dedicated to exploring different aspects of nerdly arts and culture. Together bringing over 80 years of experience to the table, the hosts, Rob and Don, try to take a seasoned, knowledgeable, and real-world approach to looking at the creation of nerd culture and the forces shaping it. The podcast covers topics ranging from from film and comics to writing and history, and pretty much everything in between. If it's a hobby shared by few or by many, you can expect to hear it talked about by the Department of Nerdly Affairs. New episodes every second Friday!

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